Colombia: Cities and Coffee

Discover Colombia’s vibrant capital city on this walking tour. The pulsating heart of the city lies in Plaza de Bolívar, right in the center of Bogota’s downtown district of La Candelaria. Lose yourself in the old world, colonial charm of its cobbled streets, centuries-old homes, official residences, preserved historical buildings—many of which have been turned into museums. Walk by old convents, churches, and quaint cafés. Stop by the famous art museum of the contemporary artist, Fernando Botero. The Gold Museum will bring alive the elusive El Dorado of the city’s pre-colonial history, with its magnificent collection of gold jewelry. Ride up the Cerro Monserrate or Guadalupe Mountain for spectacular, panoramic views of the city and lush mountains towering all around it. (Duration: about 6 hours; Private Activity & Transfers; please bring comfortable walking shoes; Gold Museum is closed on Mondays)

The Colombian capital city of Bogota offers an eclectic and cleverly juxtaposed mix of the old and the new. Experience the unique life of its citizens in the pulsating heart of its bustling marketplaces. Soak in the sights, smells and tastes of Bogotá’s Paloquemao with its typical fruits, vegetables and other fresh produce native to the region. Visit the Plaza de Bolívar, the center of the downtown district of La Candelaria. Walk down cobbled streets, admiring medieval cathedrals, old colonial buildings and important modern landmarks such as the Town Hall. Visit the famous museum housing the priceless works of contemporary artist, Fernando Botero; and admire the gold collection of the ancient Muisca Empire in the Gold Museum. Ride up to the Cerro Monserrate or Guadalupe Mountain for panoramic views of the city spread out below, amid spectacular Andean peaks towering all around. (Duration: between 6 and 7 hours, Private Activity & Transfer; Please bring comfortable walking shoes; Gold Museum closed on Mondays).

After a scenic drive from Bogota, explore the underground Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá, created inside a former salt mine. Walk the ‘Way of the Cross’ represented by a collection of chapels showcasing noteworthy moments from Jesus’ life. Accompanied by your guide, expect to see hollowed-out crosses and altars built by erstwhile miners who prayed for their safety. Further ahead, marvel at the magnificent salt cupola, naves of the main cathedral and the lofty carved cross, all illuminated by eerie blue lights. Later, head to the charming Guatavita town through the picturesque Cundinamarca countryside. Visit its submerged old town nearby, which is now a reservoir famous for water sports. Hike to the pristine Lake Guatavita, embraced by a beautiful nature reserve. As you traverse forest trails passing by highland vegetation, learn about the former sacred site of the indigenous Musica people, famed for the legend of El Dorado. Enjoy stunning panoramas of the crater and admire the lake from multiple vantages before returning to Bogota. (Full Day; Duration: 10 hrs; Private Activity & Transfer; Please note that Zipaquirá is closed on Sundays)

If you are staying Bambusa, explore the gorgeously verdant plantations and sprawling grounds of the Hacienda. Walk around the rich plantations of cacao, plantain, tangerine and exotic fruit orchards. Learn all about growing and processing the ‘Food of the Gods’ – chocolate – from the humble cacao seeds. Cacao is the principal crop grown at the Hacienda Bambusa, apart from coffee and other commercial crops. The cultivated fields of Bambusa give way to slices of preserved forested areas and beautiful nature trails. Learn about the native plant and animal life of the region from your local guide, who is also an expert biologist. Visit the lush bamboo groves skirting the plantation, which hosts more than 150 bird species. Bird lovers will have a field day spotting exotic local birds like the Spectacled Parrotlet, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird and the Fork-tailed Flycatcher! (Activity together with other Bambusa guests; Duration: around 2 hrs; Fitness level: Easy; Please bring comfortable walking shoes)

Take an informed, deliciously caffeine-induced journey through the UNESCO World Heritage site at Colombia’s Coffee Region. Learn everything there is to know about the globally loved Colombian coffee on this guided day tour. The region’s altitude, soil quality, moisture levels and a host of other geographical factors make it the best stretch of plantation land for growing the aromatic, mild and balanced coffee beans that the country is known for. Get to know all about planting, harvesting and processing Arabica and Robusta coffee beans in these lovely plantations. Sample a variety of this well-loved beverage and learn to recognize distinct coffee bean characters and tones under expert guidance. Savoring a steaming cup of coffee could never get better than this! (Half Day, Morning Tour; Private Activity & Transfer; Fitness Level: Easy with stair climbing; Please bring comfortable walking shoes).

Begin the day visiting the lovely town of Finlandia before heading to the Cocora Valley to discover the Quindío wax palm tree, Colombia’s national symbol and tree. Set at an altitude of over 2,000 meters (above 6,500 feet) this beautiful cloud forest is part of the Los Nevados National Natural Park. An easy, hour long trek through a lush landscape leads you into the heart of this valley. You can take a lunch break in a charming little restaurant overlooking the valley, on your way down, before heading back up to the picturesque little town of Salento. Take a leisurely walk through the streets to reach up to the vantage point of Alto de la Cruz, for a mesmerizing, panoramic view of the Cocora Valley spread out beneath, surrounded by the Andean mountains of the Los Nevados National Natural Park. (Full Day; Private Activity & Transfers; Lunch not included; Fitness Level: Moderate; Please bring comfortable walking or trekking shoes).

Spend an entire day exploring the wonders of Medellin! The tour offers a deeper understanding of the city and its residents, often considered distinctly different from the rest of the country, but equally important. Medellin is home to an eclectic architectural style, some of which can be seen at Alpujarra plaza, and the city also has some excellent museums, two of which will be visited, the poignant House of Memory, which records the violent history of the city through the voices of the victims and Antioquia Museum, offering an artistic representation of Paisa culture, past and present. The world-renowned work of Fernando Botero can be admired both in Antioquia Museum as well as outside it, in Botero Square on which it sits. No visit to the city would be complete without an exploration of the graffiti in San Javier neighborhood (Comuna 13). Once considered one of the roughest parts of the city, social development initiatives such as the award-winning outdoor escalator have improved the area so much that it is now a thriving must-see area of Medellín. During your guided tour, political graffiti adorning street walls and corners will give you an alternative view into life in this progressive city. (Full-day, Duration: 8 hrs; Private transport, Lunch at a local restaurant, entrance fees, and a bilingual guide.)

Taste delicious local street food in the vibrant streets of Medellin on a culinary walking tour. Stroll through the bustling streets and reach a small local market area. Taste the exotic fruits on display and wash it down with a jugos or fresh juice. Give your tastebuds a workout with traditional delights such as arepas, Patacones made from mashed green plantains, piping hot Buñuelos, circular Churros, Chicharrones, and the wafer-life Obleas. Try out local combinations such as bite-sized empanadas with fresh Picante sauce. As you walk, observe and learn about the urban regeneration projects in the city, and its thriving street-art culture. (Half Day; Private Activity & Transfers; Lunch, coffee and water included; Please note that this activity includes a bilingual guide and entrance fees. Children below eight years are not permitted on this tour.)

Experience the grand colonial charm of this 16th century Spanish stronghold by the Caribbean Sea. Visit the imposing Fort San Felipe, whose tall stone walls still protect the city from the ‘pirates’ of the Caribbean Sea! A major Spanish port, it was mainly through Cartagena that most of the treasures of the Incas, the Andean and Amazonian empires were shipped off to the ‘Old World’. Relive the old times of rascally pirates and conquistadors, as you amble through winding streets and alleyways of the Old Town. Later visit the well-preserved historic buildings in Cartagena downtown. (Duration: 4 hours; Private Activity & Transfers; Fitness level: Easy; Please bring comfortable walking shoes. From November to March we plan this activity in the afternoon to avoid the crowds).

Take up the unique opportunity of encountering multiple environs on this tour of the National Aviary in Baru. A dream trip for any nature and bird lover, be part of this wonderful ecotourism initiative in Colombia. Accompanied by your local guide, ride to the aviary, which displays a variety of exhibits to replicate tropical rainforests, tropical dry forests and desert landscapes. Explore over a hundred species of exotic bird life, marveling at the natural beauty surrounding you. (Private Activity & Transfers; Fitness level: Easy; Please bring sun hats and comfortable walking shoes).